Analyzing Sociological Imagination in 'The Bicycle Thief' Movie

This essay provides a sociological analysis of Vittorio De Sica's film, 'The Bicycle Thief,' focusing on the concept of sociological imagination and its manifestation in the context of class division. The essay begins by summarizing the plot, highlighting the protagonist Antonio Ricci's struggle with poverty and his desperate search for a job, which is dependent on owning a bicycle. The narrative underscores the economic hardships of the post-war era and the societal inequalities faced by the working class. The analysis delves into the sociological implications of the film, examining themes of class struggle, social inequality, and the impact of economic conditions on individuals. It explores how the film reflects the lack of opportunities for the lower class and the alienation between the rich and the poor. Furthermore, the essay connects the film's themes to the ideas of John Stuart Mill, particularly his views on individual liberty and the 'tyranny of the majority.' The conclusion emphasizes the film's portrayal of class discrimination and the need for societal change to address social evils and promote equality. The essay utilizes scholarly sources to support its arguments, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sociological dimensions of 'The Bicycle Thief.'

Running head: SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
Sociological Imagination in the Bicycle Thief
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
Introduction
Class division is one of the most significant sociological evil that plagues any society of
the world. Although this concept arose at the time of the onset of colonialism and the starting
phase of capitalism, it is seen to be prevailing even in the in the modern contemporary society
(Vojković, 2019). This shows the extent of predominance that the sociological concepts of class
and class division has taken its hold over the human civilization (Merlo, 2017). The main
purpose of this essay is to analyze a movie which would be able to understand a sociological
imagination in the context of Mill’s promise of sociology and relationship that is seen to be
existing between the individuals and the structures of the society. In this respect, the essay tries
to analyze the movie known as the ‘bicycle thieves’ where the different class struggles as shown
the movie has been critically analyzed.
Analysis of the movie
“The Bicycle Thieves” is an Italian movie, considered to be belonging to the genre of
Neorealist times (Cardullo, 2016). It was directed by Vittorio De Sica whose main purpose was
to show to the world how deep the roots of class struggle and class division existed in the society
(Cardullo, 2016).
The movie begins with the character of Antonio Ricci who is seen to be desperately
searching for a job in order to sustain his family (Pérez, 2017). However, due to a job crisis, the
only job that he was able to land was that of pasting certain advertisement bills on the walls of
the society. However, he was unable to take the job as it required a bicycle which he did not
poses. When his wife, Maria heard about it, she sold the bed sheets which she received from her
family in her dowry and used this money to get Antonio a bicycle (Pérez, 2017). The next day

2SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
when Antonio was at work, another man named Vittoria Antonucci stole his bicycle. Antonio
tried his hardest to catch the thief but soon he lost trail. The police informed him that the stolen
good often resurface in a place called the Plazza Vittorio where Antonio went with his friends.
However, they were unable to find his possession.
Antonio encounters the thief in a series of situations after that. However, during all the
encounters, he was unable to catch him. The time he was able to, the policemen could not find
any sign of his bicycle in Antonucci’s apartment which led the gathering people to blame
Antonio for placing false accusations on Antonucci (Cardullo, 2016). While returning home,
Antonio saw a bicycle unattended lying near a football stadium. He was in a deep ethical
dilemma but decided to steal it. However, after a certain distance, he was caught by the police
and was arrested in front of his son, Bruno. The owner of the stolen bicycle noticed the
depressed condition of Antonio and felt compassionate towards him and thereby, asked the
policemen to realize Antonio. The movie ended by showing the tearful state of Antonio while
Bruno held his father’s hand tightly in a reassuring manner (Iannone, 2015).
Sociological Implications
The most profound sociological theory that could be observed to be present in the course
of the movie is that of class division. The situation of Antonio was so financially depressive that
his family was absolutely dependent on him. This was in sharp contrast to the other rich people
of the society who were not required to work because of their financial stability (Merlo, 2017).
The movie also focused on the deplorable condition of the economy by showing the
stealing of the bicycle of Antonio’s. According to Pérez (2017), the economy was in shambles
during the time period in which this movie was shown. As a consequence of this, nearly every

3SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
one of the society was at the mercy of the rich capitalist class in order to find their means of
survival. This is significant to understand because it shows the clear discrimination in the society
with regard to class division. Thus, the economic message that is show cased through this movie
is the apparent lack of opportunity to the lower class of people in the society and the issue of
alienation that is observed between the rich upper class of people and the poor lower class of
individuals.
Sociologically analyzing the movie, it can be seen that Antonio was not simply
financially poor, he was also socially poor (Merlo, 2017). Being a financially weak citizen of the
society, people found it extremely difficult to understand and sympathize with a poor man of the
society (Pérez, 2017). This was clearly shown in the movie when Antonio publicly accused
Antonucci for stealing his bicycle. However, since the police was unable to find any evidence of
the bicycle in his house, they had to let him go. The society, on the other hand, started to jeer and
taunt Antonio for accusing a respectable member of the society for thievery.
In this regard, the views of John Stuart Mill can be related with. Speaking on the issue of
individual liberty, he believed that there should be an organic relationship between the liberty of
the society and the authorities of the society (Ryan, 2016). He lay a lot of emphasis on the issue
of individual liberty which he believed was the pre-requisite of enjoying a higher form of
freedom. He also spoke about the ‘tyranny of the majority’ which comprehensively showed that
the society should not act against the freedom of an individual simply because of the support of
numbers (Merlo, 2017).
Thus, according to John Stuart Mill, it was stated that the individuals of the society
should have the freedom to pursue their own interests and passions (Mill, 2015). The society and
the government exists only to ensure the well-being of the people. As a consequence, they should

4SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IN THE BICYCLE THIEF
not over step their legal bo8ndaries and interfere with the working of an individual (Young,
2017). This was shown in the movie when the mob of people started to taunt Antonio for
accusing Antonucci of stealing his bicycle. They did not give Antonio the benefit of doubt as
they believed that being a poor person, he was liable to use false information to save himself.
Thus, a judgment was passed considering the financial and social condition of Antonio.
Conclusion
Thus, in conclusion it can be observed that the movie “The Bicycle Thief” as directed by
Vittoria De Sica showed in a comprehensive and implicit manner the existence of severe class
discrimination in the society of those times. Such class discrimination is seen to be present even
in the contemporary world of today whereby people are quick to pass verdict on other
individuals depending on the economic situation of the concerned individuals. Since the
economy and sociology is very deeply inter-related, it can be assumed that the concerned
victimized individuals of the society are also socially weakened. There is a need on the part of
the society to eradicate the existence of such social evils. According to the universal right to
equality, it is the obligation of the entire human civilization to treat each other in a respectable
and dignified manner. The emergence of financial resources and the need to own private
property has diminished the spirit of this right and instead focuses on the material value of the
people. This was argued in earnest by John Stuart Mill.

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References:
Cardullo, R. J. (2016). Italian Neorealism, Vittorio De Sica, and Bicycle Thieves. In Teaching
Sound Film (pp. 39-45). SensePublishers, Rotterdam.
Iannone, P. (2015). Vittorio de Sica: beyond neorealism. Sight & sound, 25(9), 46-49.
Merlo, F. (2017). Healing wounds to prevent civil conflict: Cinema and Development in post-
war Italy.
Mill, J. S. (2015). On Liberty, Utilitarianism, and other essays. Oxford University Press, USA.
Pérez, E. S. M. (2017). Power and poverty: Notes on state action and the duty of public
servants. Revista de la Inquisición:(intolerancia y derechos humanos), (21), 219-226.
Ryan, A. (2016). JS Mill (Routledge Revivals). Routledge.
Vojković, S. (2019). The Humanist Vision in Neorealist Films: The Circularity of Influences in
World Cinema. Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems: INDECS, 17(2-A), 282-
293.
Young, R. (2017). Personal autonomy: Beyond negative and positive liberty. Routledge.